Review of the National Theatre production of Peter Shaffer’s Amadeus, (LINKED) with an orchestra on stage, six opera singers, Lucian Msamati as Salieri and Adam Gillen as Mozart. A full five star production if there ever was one.

28/02/2017 by Peter Viney
Review of the National Theatre production of Peter Shaffer’s Amadeus, (LINKED) with an orchestra on stage, six opera singers, Lucian Msamati as Salieri and Adam Gillen as Mozart. A full five star production if there ever was one.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Adam Gillen, Karla Crome, Lucian Msamati, Michael Longhurst, Peter Shaffer, Tom Edden | Leave a Comment »
28/02/2017 by Peter Viney
Review of Plastic, by Marius von Mayenberg at Bath’s Ustinov Studio added. A modern German comedy in its English language premiere.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Brenock O'Connor, Charlotte Randal, Jonathan Slinger, Matthew Dunster, Ria Zmitrowicz, Steve John Shepherd | Leave a Comment »
27/02/2017 by Peter Viney
The extended tour of Cheek by Jowl’s The Winter’s Tale (LINKED) at the Bath Theatre Royal. A striking and memorable production in modern dress, full of physical activity. One to catch as he tour continues. Orlando James is a first rate Leontes.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Declan Donnellan, Edward Sayer, Joy Richardson, Natalie Radmall-Quirke, Orlando James, Peter Moreton, Ryan Donaldson, Sam McArdle, Sam Woolf, Tom Cawte | Leave a Comment »
21/02/2017 by Peter Viney
A new article on responses to the new BBC TV series SS-GB (FOLLOW LINK) based on the Len Deighton novel from 1978. The appalling sound has caused an uproar. I’ve commented.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged James Cosmo, Len Deighton, Philip Kadelbach, Sam Riley | Leave a Comment »
17/02/2017 by Peter Viney
Review added of Worst Wedding Ever (linked) at Salisbury Playhouse. An original drama production, written by Chris Chibnall. Excellent mainstream comedy, with a short tour following. This is a popular play which could run for years if it gets to the West End.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Chris Chibnall, Derek Frood, Elisabeth Hopper, Elizabeth Cadwallader, Gareth Machin, Lloyd Gorman, Nav Sidhu | Leave a Comment »
11/02/2017 by Peter Viney
A personal tribute to my old friend John Wetton, RIP. (FOLLOW LINK). This article mainly covers his early days in bands: Corvettes, Palmer-James Group, Tetrad, Ginger Man, Splinter, Mogul Thrash, Family, King Crimson, Roxy Music … others can pick up the tale of UK, Asia, Qango and the John Wetton Band. It’s long and heavily illustrated.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Asia, Bryan Ferry, Ed Bicknell, Family, Jacknife, John Hutcheson, John Wetton, King Crimson, Mogul Thrash, Qango, Richard Palmer-James, Roger Chapman, Roxy Music, Splinter, UK | Leave a Comment »
05/02/2017 by Peter Viney
Review of The White Devil by John Webster added (LINKED), This production is directed by Annie Ryan in candlelight. The play focuses on revenge, lust and jealousy in classic Jacobean style and works the Wanamaker’s recreation of a Jacobean indoor theatre well.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Anna Healy, Annie Ryan, Fergal McEherron, Garry Cooper, Jamie Ballard, John Webster, Joseph Timms, Kate Stanley-Brennan, Mercy Ojelade, Paul Bazely, Shanaya Rafaat | Leave a Comment »
31/01/2017 by Peter Viney
Review of the “ballad-opera” The Transports at Exeter, Phoenix. It was written by Peter Bellamy in 1977, and chosen by Mojo magazine as one of the 100 Greatest Recordings of The 20th Century. It was “Folk Album of The Year” in 1977. This new version features members of Bellowhead, Faustus, The Young ‘Uns and Nancy Kerr. How good was it? Well, I haven’t seen anything better in the six years I’ve been writing this blog.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Bellowhead, Benji Kirkpatrick, David Eagle, Faustus, Greg Russell, Nancy Kerr, Paul Sartin, Peter Bellamy, Rachael McShane, Saul Rose, The Young 'Uns | Leave a Comment »
29/01/2017 by Peter Viney
Review of the Sean Foley directed The Dresser, with Ken Stott and Reece Shearsmith. After a much acclaimed London run, the production is on tour. Here at Chichester. It’s a backstage tragicomedy set in 1942, while they’re playing (trying to play?) King Lear.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Adam Jackson-Smith, Harriet Thorpe, Phoebe Sparrow, Reece Shearsmith, Sean Foley, Selina Cadell, Simon Rouse | Leave a Comment »
21/01/2017 by Peter Viney
Review of Margo Price at The Bullingdon, Oxford (LINKED) on Friday 20th January. MidWest Farmer’s Daughter was mu favourite album of 2016, so anticipation was high. A high-energy show to a sold-out packed hall.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Jerry Ivey, Margo Price | Leave a Comment »